I am just wondering what the advantage of self-tapping screws would be as compared to normal screws. Does it fasten more strongly? I know, with most self-tapping screws, pre-drilling can be skipped. Is this the only advantage? Or, is there any other advantage?
Wood – why using self-tapping screws
woodworking
Related Solutions
Specialty Bolts
Some bolts have long smooth shanks and short threaded sections. If you are able to find appropriately sized bolts like these, and able to buy a drill bit that is the same diameter as the shank for a sung fit, then this is simplest, if not the best, solution. The key is a smooth shank of appropriate length. If the threaded section is too long, it can, of course, be cut off with a hack saw and groomed with a file. To straighten out threads at the tip, spin a nut all the up to the shank and leave it on until finished with the grooming.
Joinery
The craftsman approach would be to use shouldered joints.
This is a link to the wikipedia page.
Pins
Solid Pins
- assemble with bolts
- choose a nail size (diameter) and similarly sized drill bit for a snug (but not too tight) fit. The match between the nail and the holes needs to be snug enough for good alignment, but not so tight as to prevent the joint from being disassembled by hand and the nails tapped out if so desired.
- cut nails to length if necessary
- drill two or more holes through one member and into the second member
- tap the nails into their holes
- Note: see @bib's answer for a "blind" variant of this
Tube Pins
- choose the bolts
- choose metal tubing through which the bolts easily fit.
Note: as suggested by @AnonomousPerson in a comment, PVC tubing such as 1/2" plumbing can be used with good results for large bolts - in both members, drill through-holes in which the tubing fits snugly
- cut lengths of tubing matching the members combined thicknesses
- tap in a section of tubing
- bolt together through the tubes
Splines
Blind Rings
- select 1/16" walled metal tubing whose diameter that is somewhat smaller than the narrowest member. For example, if the narrowest member is 2" wide, then select some tubing that is about 1.5" in diameter.
- select a hole saw that matches the size of the tubing
- temporarily assemble the members using bolts that match the diameter of hole saw's drill bit, typically 1/4".
- disassemble
- on each of the mating surfaces, using the bolts holes for guides, use the hole saw to drill 1/4" deep circular recesses
- cut 1/2" long rings from the tubing
- assemble with the rings sandwiched in between
- if larger bolts are desired, re-drill the bolt holes
Blind Flats
- same idea as blind rings but use 1/2" x 1/16" metal stock and saw-kerfs
- same idea as blind rings but use 1/2" x 1/16" metal stock and saw-kerfs
No mineral spirits are not a good conditioner for wood. Solvents in general will dry wood out and break down any oils that are in the wood. This leads to decay of the wood.
What are you conditioning it for? Do you plan to stain and seal it or are you simply trying to protect the wood?
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Best Answer
Not having to pre-drill is the benefit, and that's actually a huge benefit in terms of time and labor.
If you're pre-drilling anyways, then there's no real benefit.